Playing Astro Boy: The Video Game feels like work
Don't let Astro's charms fool you--this game would suck out all the joy in your life.
Astro Boy: Omega Factor was a side-scrolling wonder on the Game Boy Advance. I own a copy, and to this day, I still enjoy the visceral thrill of smacking around an onslaught of robots using endless strings of combos. Because of my positive gaming experience with Astro Boy back in 2004, I was expecting that the PlayStation Portable version of Astro Boy: The Video Game would be halfway decent at the very least.
I was so wrong.
From the outset, Astro Boy: The Video Game tries so hard to be like its GBA predecessor. The PSP game is also side-scrolling, and some of Astro’s moves are eerily similar (i.e. pressing down and punch results in the finger laser). Even the button layout is reminiscent of Omega Factor as either shoulder keys would execute the special attack. Like Omega Factor, there are flying stages where you get to blast more robots while airborne.
But unlike Omega Factor, there’s a generous smattering of obtuse platforming that makes no sense. Astro can fly, so why the boy needs to jump from platform to platform and take damage from falls is beyond me. Oddly enough, there’s a floaty, almost Master Chief-like quality to Astro’s jumps, but unlike Halo’s armored hero, Astro’s leaps don’t feel right.
The biggest offender of all is the combat. Astro cannot execute combo after combo of devastating attacks. Perhaps there’s an option to increase his moves later on, but I don’t see why I can’t enjoy the good stuff from the get go. It worked for Omega Factor, and since developer High Voltage Software is aping the GBA classic in oh-so-many ways, they should’ve stuck to what works. As it stands, the PSP version’s combat is no good.
It also doesn’t help that the voice acting for Astro so lame. Sure, the kid may be a robot, but he’s supposed to have human emotion. So far, I don’t see that here.
But hey, what do I know, right? I’ve just played the game for a couple of hours. Let me tell you, those first couple of hours felt like a chore. These are the days when I feel like game criticism feels a lot more like a job. I will have to play Astro Boy: The Video Game again, but only as part of work. I won’t be looking forward to it.
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